Mold for casting printers



2 Sheets-Sheet; 1.

(No Model.)

H. P. WELLMAN.

MOLD FOR CASTING PRINTERS LEADS.

No. 358,585. Patented Mar 1, 1887.

-(No M00181. 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

H. I. WELLMAN.

MOLD FOR CASTING PRINTERS LEADS.

No. 358,585. P-atentgd Mari 1, 1887.

lllll Nita a'rnnrr trips,

I HENRY F. \VEIJLMAN, OF ENGLEIVOOD, ASSIGNOR TO THE SGHNIEDE\VEND & LEE CO., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MOLD FOR CASTlNG PRINTERS LEADS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 358,585, dated March 1, 1887.

Application filed October 29,1885. Serial No. 181,274. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY F. WELLMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Englewood, county of Cook, and State of Eli nois, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Molds for Casting Printers Leads, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in molds for casting printers leads,in which the lead is run in a molten condition to a mold hinged or otherwise connected to a bed-plate, the face of the bed-plate serving for one side of the mold, suitable grooves or molds being formed in the opposing face of the mold.

Prior to my invention a mold has been hinged to a bed-plate so that it swings on a horizontal axis froma horizontal to an upright position, or vice versa; but a hinge-connection of this character is objectionable, because that during the manipulation of the mold the operator is required not only to support the hinged and swinging mold, but the added weight of the molded metal when operating the mold to remove the cast, and this operation is not only fatiguing but necessarily awkward, and the manipulation of the mold correspondingly slow. In such machines the bedplate and the mold when in operation are at all times held rigidly in an upright position, which is objectionable, for the reason that differing thicknesses of casts, differing consistencies of the metal, and varying temperatures of the mold require differing angles of the mold in running the metal to insure a perfect cast. In these prior constructions efforts have been made to facilitate the run of the metal in the mold by employing a facing of heavy paper pasted or otherwise rigidly secured to the bedplate; but this paper when so secured soon becomes burned at the top thereof by reason of its first contact with the molten metal, and is thereby rendered useless, necessitating its removal and the substitution of a new sheet. The paper facing,when thus rigidly secured to the bed-plate, can only be removed by scraping or soaking it off, which renders its removal difficult, and increases the liability to imperfect casts in consequence of small pieces of the paper, through carelessness or otherwise, ad-

hering to the surface of the bed-plate, and hence is productive of great loss of time. A further objection to thus securing the paper to the bed-plate is, that the paper soon becomes charred and burned by its first contact with the heated metal when poured into the mold, the thickness of the paper facing being thereby reduced, and the lead casts proportionately thickened toward the mouth of the mold; and the said casts can only be reduced to auniform thickness throughout theirlength by being afterward planed down, which not only occasions great loss of time but increases the cost of production.

The prime object of this invention is to have a horizontal pivot-bearing for thebed'plate centrally of its length, whereby the said bedplate and a mold hinged thereto are free to swing from an upright to a horizontal position, or vice versa, so that the run of the metal may be varied for differing thicknesses of casts or consistencies of the molten metal and varying temperatures of the mold.

Further objects of this invention are to have a hinged connection between the side edges of the bed-plate and mold, so that the mold will swing on an approximately vertical axis, or in a plane at right angles to the incline of the bed-plate, toward or away from the said bedplate, whereby the weight of said mold will be supported by the hinge and the operator relieved therefrom to provide the bed-plate with an adjustable paper facing adapted to be shifted or reeled off as fast as burned or otherwise injured and rendered useless, whereby the said facing may be constantly renewed without removal from the bed-plate, thus promoting and insuring a uniform thickness of cast; also, to provide a pouringpan hinged or otherwise adj ustably secured to the mold, 0 whereby the accurate pouring of the metal and the simultaneous filling of all the grooves is insured; to provide means for reheating the mold and pouring-pan when swung back from the bed-plate after making a cast, prior to and 5 during the refilling of the pan and removal of the cast preparatory to making another cast; finally, to provide a water-back for the bedplate for preventing the undue heating of the said plate and thereby retard the burning of [co the paper facing and promote the rapid cooling of the'casts. I attain these objects by devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a mold embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a top plan view of the mold and pouring-pan; Fig. 3, a side elevation of the mold, dotted lines indicating the elevated position of the pouringpan; Fig. 4, a central vertical section thereof; Fig. 5, a front elevation of the same; Fig. 6, a detail section on line 00, Fig. 5 5 Fig. 7, a perspective view of one of the lead casts.

Referring by letter to the accompanying drawings, A indicates the bed-plate, pivoted at a, on a horizontal axis centrally of its length, in a suitable frame, B, whereby the said bedplate and the mold hinged thereto, as hereinafter described, are free to be swung from an upright to a horizontal position, the said bedplate being locked when in an upright position by means of a catch or hook, O, secured near the lower end thereof and detachably connected with one of the cross-bars D of the stationary supporting-frame.

In general practice it is sufficient to incline the mold just enough to cause the running metal to flow on the paper facing, which, as hereinafter described, facilitates the running of the metal into the mold, and hence the normal position would be that shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, in which position it is securely locked by the catch or hook C, before described. Sometimes, however, owing to differing thicknesses of the cast, consistency of the molten metal, or varying temperatures of the mold, it becomes necessary to vary the incline of the mold in running the metal, and

to this end I have provided the horizontalpivot-bearings for the bed-plate, which, when the catch 0 is disengaged from the cross-bar D, is free to be swung to any desired angle.

To one side edge of the bed plate is hinged the mold E, so that it swings on an approximately-vertical axis toward and away from the bed-plate, and having its opposing face grooved, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1,whereby, when the mold is swung against the bedplate, the said grooves, in connection with the face of the bed-plate, will form a series of molds in which to run the metal for forming the lead casts, from which are cutwhat are commonly designated as printers leads.

It will be observed that the hinging of the mold on a vertical axis, as just described, entirely relieves the operator from the weight of the mold in swinging ittoward and away from the bed-plate, and also the added weight of the lead casts prior to removing them from the mold; hence such construction is impor tant in promoting the rapid execution of the work by rendering the operation less awkward and fatiguing.

The hinged mold, for convenience of operation, is provided with a handle, I), with which the operator is enable to swing the mold upon its hinge.

To secure the mold against the'opposing face of the bed-plate during the operation of molding, I'employ a lock-bar, F, pivoted on a suitable projection, c, on the bed-plate, and adapted to swing on the said pivot from a ver tical to a horizontal position, in which latter position it projects transversely across the back of the mold, with its notched free end engaging a headed bolt or projection, (I, cast with or otherwise rigidly secured to the opposite side of the bed-plate. Passing centrally through this lock-bar, and projecting forward approximately at right angles to the mold, is a cam-lever, e, pivoted in said lockbar, the cam end of which lever bears upon and tightens against a longitudinal bar, f, rigidly secured on the back of the mold, the said bar being supported only at its end, for the purpose of equally distributing the pressure applied thereto through the medium of the cam-lever, as before described.

The construction of the lock-bar and camlever will be clearly understood by reference to Fig. 6, from which it is obvious that any movement of thelever in the direction indicated by the arrow will cause the cam end of the lever e to bear against and tighten upon the opposing bar, f; and owing to the lock-bar being connected to the bed-plate at either end this pressure will be transmitted to the mold, and serve to effectually retain the mold rigidly in position upon the bed-plate during the pouring operation.

When it is desired to swing the mold upon its hinge away from the bed-plate by releasing the cam-lever, the lockvbar, by reason of its gravity, willswing down on its pivot to an approximately-vertical position, as shown in Fig. 1, and thereby permit the passage by it of the mold.

In practice it has been found desirable to promote the effectiveness and facilitate the running of the metal in the mold by employing a paper facing for the bed-plate, which, owing to its non-conductibilityand the smoothness of its surface, enters as an important element in attaining the above result; but even its non conductibility does not protect it against the intense heat of the molten metal when first poured into the mold, for it soon becomes burned and charred beyond usefulness, necessitating its removal and the substitution of a new sheet, which necessity arises in practice at very short intervals, often every half-hour. The manner of securing it to the bed-plate in machines as heretofore construct-' ed, by pasting or otherwise, is very objectionable, for the reason that its removal therefrom can only be accomplishedby scraping or soaking it off, which renders it difficult and attended with great loss of time. In addition to this, although the burningoccurs mainly near the top of the sheet, owing to its first contact with the heated metal, as the sheets are cut to fit the surface of the bed-plate and pasted or otherwise rigidly secured thereto, the burning of the upper part destroys the usefulness of the entire sheet, and thus occasions agreat loss of paper in consequence of the constant changes required. A further and more serious objection to thus rigidly securing the paper is that the gradual burning of the paper near the top of the mold, and before the paperis sufficiently burned to necessitate its removal, gradually increases the distance between the opposing walls of the mold, where such burning occurs, producing a correspondingincreasein the thickness of the casts, and all the casts made after such burning first occurs can only be reduced to a uniform thickness by being afterward planed down, which occasions a great loss of time, requiring skilled labor, and consequently increases the cost of production. Finally, the continual renewal of the sheets, which cannot be used until thoroughly dried, after being pasted to the bed-plate, not only occasions an additional loss of time, but increases the liability to imperfect casts, owing to small particles of paper adhering to the surface of the bed-plate.

The essential objects of this invention are to obviate all these difficulties by providing the bed-plate with a paper facing removably secured thereto, which may be adj usted or shifted at the will of the operator and the burned paper reeled off the bed-plate as fast as desired, whereby every portion of the paper is utilized to the fullest extent, and the necessity for the removal of more than the burned paper obviated; and I am enabled to do this by the devices now to be described.

Pivoted in suitable brackets, G, rigidly secured to and projecting rearwardly from the lower end of the bed-plate A, at either side thereof, is a roller, 9, extending transversely across the rear face of the bed-plate, upon which is wound a suitable quantity of paper constituting a supplyroll, the free end of the paper passing downwardly and around a loose roller, H, hung in brackets and extending across the lower end of the bed plate, thence upwardly along the face of the bed-plate, over and around another loose roller, H, at thetop of the bed-plate, and, finally, down to a reel, I, also loosely journaled in brackets I, and extending across the rear face of the bed-plate,

"near the top thereof, upon which the paper is of the said rollers when in engagement with the ratchet-wheels, each of which wheels is provided with suitable crank-handles for convenience of operation.

That portion of the paper extending along the face of the bed-plate between the rollers H and H is the part used during the molding operation, and the upper end of this portion nearest the roller H is where the burning occurs, owing to the high temperature of the inolten metal whenfirst poured into the mold, as before described. It is obvious that the difficulties hereinbefore enumerated may be readily overcome by this construction, for at no point between the supply-roll and reel is the paper attached or rigidly secured in any manner to the face of the bed plate, but, on the contrary, although as securely held in place as though pasted thereon, it is free at any time the operator may elect to be shifted or reeled off as fast as used and new paper supplied in its place, whereby all of the paper supplied to the bed-plate may be utilized to the fullest extent.

The constant contact of the heated mold with the bed-plate and the continual pouring between them of the molten metal soon raises the temperature of the bed-plate'to a degree that would rather promote than otherwise the burning of its paper facing; and hence I have devised means for cooling and keeping cool the said bed-plate, consisting of a water back or jacket, J, secured to the hack thereof intermediate the supply-roll and reel, havinginlet and outlet pipesj and 70, by means of which a constantly-changing supply of cold water may be passed through the said water-back, thereby tending to reduce the temperature of the bed-plate, which not only retards the burning of the paper but also promotes the rapid cooling of the cast.

Heretofore in supplying the molten metal to the mold it haslbeen common to employ an ordinary ladle, with which the metal is poured by hand into the mouth of the mold, the operator while pouring passing the ladle back and forth across the mouth of the mold, in order to as nearly as possible fill the several grooves or molds simultaneously; but such manipulation is objectionable for thercason that considerable skill is required to make a perfect set of casts, even the most skillful operator continually skipping one or more of the several mold-grooves by reason of the metal during the necessarily rapid passage of the ladle over the mold, forming a web over the mouth of the said mold-groove. Besides this, the interrupted running of the metal increases the liability to imperfect and porous casts, owing to the partial cooling of the metal, which can only be prevented by maintaining the metal and mold at an abnormally high ternperature detrimental to the mold, all of which occasions a loss of valuable time. To obviate these difficulties and insure a perfect running of the metal to and the simultaneous filling of metal accurately and simultaneously to all the grooves. This pouring-pan is preferably triangular in cross-section, with the bottom in clining rearwardly and downwardly from the pouring-spouts, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 3, and 4, the inclined bottom, rear wall, and triangular sides constituting a pan for containing the molten metal prior to its delivery to the mold, the pan being sustained in its inclined position by the lugs or stops Z, secured to the back of the mold.

When the pan is filled and ready for pouring, the operator, by means of a handle provided for that purpose, swings it upon its hinge above a horizontal plane, as illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 3, thereby forming an inclined plane, down which the molten metal flows through the spouts to the molds, and

vhence the simultaneous and perfect filling of all molds is insured and the liability to imperfect casts from the above causes entirely obviated.

It is necessary for promoting the perfect running of the metal in the mold to maintain the mold in a heated condition, and in prior machines it has been common while swung back upon its hinges to apply heat to the outer side, or back of the mold, for should both mold and bed he unheated the metal would quickly chill and run so sluggishly as to produce porous and imperfect casts, and in practice it has also been found that to produce the most perfect casts only the mold should be heated.

To this end [have provided a series of burners, L, so arranged that when the mold is swung back on its hinge the back thereof will come in contact With the flamejets issuing from the said burners, whereby the said molds will be reheated after each cast is made, and thus maintained in a constantly-heated state and at an almost uniform temperature. A pair of burners, M, are also provided for a similar purpose for the pouring-pan,which requires to be kept at an equally high temperature.

It may here be observed that the number of mold-grooves is immaterial, but the number of gutters in the pouring-pan should preferably cor-respond therewith. However, any

' number of spouts or gutters may be made to register with a single mold where one is not sufficient for the perfect filling of the mold.

In conclusion, I may add that instead of hinging the pouring-pan to the mold it may be rigidly secured in the inclined position shown by dotted lines, Fig. 3, and a flood-gate be provided at its pouring end for controlling the flow of the metal to the mold.

Having described my invention, what I a bed-plate, in combination with a shifting paper facing therefor, and means for shifting the said facing, substantially as described.

3. In an apparatus for casting printers leads, a bed-plate, in combination with a paper facing therefor, means for shifting the paper, and a supply-roll and reel secured to the back of said bed-plate, substantially as described. 4. In an apparatus for casting printers leads, a bed-plate, in combination With a paper facing, means for shifting the paper, a supplyroll and reel extending transversely across the back of said bed-plate at opposing extremities thereof, the brackets supporting said roll and reel, and a pawland-ratchet connection between said rolls and brackets, whereby the tension of the paper between the supply-roll and reel may be regulated, substantially as de scribed.

5. In an apparatus for casting printers leads, a bedplate, a paper facing therefor, and means for shifting the paper, in combination with a water-back for the said bedplate, whereby the temperature of the plate may be cooled and the burning of the paper be reduced, substantially as described.

6. In an apparatusfor casting printers leads, a bed-plate, in combination with a mold and a pouring-pan, ahinge-connection between said pan and mold, said pan having spouts or gutters for accurately and simultaneously filling a series of molds, substantially as described.

7. In an apparatus for casting printers? leads, a bed-plate, a mold, a hingeconnection between one of the side edges of said plate and mold, and a pouring-pan hinged to said mold, in combination with a series of burners so arranged that when the mold is swung away from the bed-plate the back of the mold and bottom of the pan will come in contact with the flame-jets issuing from said burners, substantially as described.

HENRY F. l/VELLMAN.

Witnesses:

W. W. ELLIOTT, R. O. OMOHUNDRO. 

